Hardness Testing · Metallic materials – Hardness testing with the UCI method ASTM A1038: Standard Test Method for Portable Hardness Testing by the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance

Hardness Testing

according to the

UCI-Procedure

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Normative Basis

DIN 50159:

Metallic materials – Hardness testing with the UCI method

ASTM A1038:

Standard Test Method for Portable Hardness Testing by the Ultrasonic

Contact Impedance Method

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Functionality

1 Metalspring for generating the

test load

2 Vibrating rod

3 Indenter (Vickersdiamond)

4 Test piece

5 Resonance amplifier

6 Receiving piezo element

7 Sending piezo element

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Schematic View of a UCI-Probe; Source: DIN 50159-1 /BAQ

UCI-Hardness Values

The frequency shift is measured, when touching

the material

Declaration of the hardness value in Vickers,

e.g. 500 HV10 (UCI)

Theoretical measuring range from 10 – 3000 HV

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Quelle: ASTM A1038

Comparison UCI – Vickers

Pro:

Fast execution (No optical determination)

Direction-independent (Upright to the surface)

Con:

Depending on the E-Modulus of the work piece

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Selection of the propper test load – Surface Roughness

Max. acceptable surface roughness in Ra in relation to the test load.

Test load (N) 10 50 98

Ra (µm) / DIN 0,5 0,8 1,0

Ra (µm) / ASTM 5 10 15

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Selection of the propper test load – Surface Roughness

Connection surface roughness to abrasive grits for steels

Grain sizes according to FEPA-Standard (Federation of the European Producers of Abrasives)

Grain size P120 P180 P240

Ra (µm) app. 1,2 app. 1,0 app. 0,6

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Selection of the propper test load – Layer Thickness

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Sample Geometry

DIN 50159 ASTM A1038

Mass Min. 300 g → otherwise coupling

Wall thickness 5 mm 2 – 3 mm

Layer thickness --- 10x Indentation depth

Curvature radius Max. 3 mm ---

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Hardness Test Blocks

DIN: Edge length of 50 mm; wall thickness

of 15 mm

Steel with a e-modulus of 210 ±10 GPa

ASTM: Ø80 x 16 mm

Steel

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Handling of the Probe / Performing a measuring

Touch down carefully (vertical, max. acceptable deviation 5°)

Raise the test load gently; no transverse forces

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Accessories to guide the UCI-Probe

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Verification / Calibration of the Probe

DIN: Daily, in the relevant hardness range, before using the device

Every 12 months through the manufacturer in the complete range

Hardness scale

Acceptable Deviation in % (DIN)

< 250 HV 250 – 500 HV 500 – 800 HV > 800 HV

HV 1 5 5 6 7

HV 5 5 5 5 5

HV 10 5 5 5 5

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UCI in stationary application

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